Officials with SafeHarbor Holding, LLC, developer of the Bible Park USA have committed to developing the Park in a way that is both "sustainable and carbon-friendly," according to Armon Bar-Tur, the Park's developer.
Developers said in a release today that the geothermal energy used to heat and cool the Park to the significant green space that surrounds it, the grass pavers that replace traditional asphalt in parking areas, and an aggressive recycling program inside the Park will make the development a model of environmental responsibility for Rutherford County and indeed all tourist attractions.
"We are committed to ensuring the Park itself, from the ground up through our daily operations once we are open, is designed and managed in a way that has virtually no impact on the environment," Bar-Tur said. "Our employees will be trained in conservation measures and our visitors will be encouraged to participate by depositing their trash in recycling centers that will be positioned throughout the Park."
In addition to its own consultants, park officials have begun discussions with Mimi Keisling, Rutherford County Environmental Education Coordinator, regarding the County's policy and philosophy on sustainable practices, according to the release. In addition, Keisling has recommended both local and regional recycling companies to contact for further information and possible partnerships.
"We look forward to working with County officials and local community groups like Recycle Rutherford," Bar-Tur added.
The Park will use geothermal energy to heat and cool all of the buildings at the Park. "Initially, installing geothermal is a little more expensive, but we believe it is worth it to use this renewable resource," said Bar-Tur.
The application of geothermal heating and cooling, also known as ground source heat pumps, has been named "the most energy-efficient and environmentally sensitive of all space conditioning systems," by the Environmental Protection Agency. The basic concept behind geothermal heating and cooling is its ability to take advantage of the earth's constant temperature, approximately 55 degrees, to heat and cool a building. By tapping this steady flow of heat from the earth in the winter, and displacing heat in the earth in the summer, geothermal heat pumps can save money while also saving energy.
In addition, master planners for the Park have worked to sustain many natural areas that currently exist on the proposed site, and use those areas in the Park's design.
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